Re: [Harp-L] Audix Fireball vs. Shure 545

[Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Lo-z to hi-Z transformer on both the Fireball and the Shure, Shure is wired lo-Z.

Thanks, RH

-----Original Message-----
>From: Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>
>Sent: Sep 25, 2008 6:52 PM
>To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx, Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Audix Fireball vs. Shure 545
>
>Richard -
>
>Were you using a lo-z to hi-z transformer with the Fireball or plugging it in directly?
>
>Was the 545 wired low or high impedance?
>
>Winslow
>
>Winslow Yerxa
>Author, Harmonica For Dummies ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5
>
>
>--- On Wed, 9/24/08, Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>> From: Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>> Subject: [Harp-L] Audix Fireball vs. Shure 545
>> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
>> Date: Wednesday, September 24, 2008, 7:49 PM
>> I did some tweaking on my Ron Holmes-modified Crate VC508
>> yesterday, replacing the 12AT7 preamp tube Ron installed
>> with a 12AX7 (Ron advised that either would work with the
>> biasing he set up, and I wanted a little more punch from the
>> amp).  While I was at it, I decided to test a few mics with
>> the amp.  I used a Suzuki Firebreath in A for all the tests.
>>  I tested three mics: an Astatic JT-30VC, an Audix Fireball
>> with V element, and a Shure 545.  
>> 
>> The Astatic, interestingly enough, was the least effective
>> of the 3--not a lot of bottom end, and a lot of feedback.  I
>> was expecting more.
>> 
>> The Shure had tremendous power on the low end--gotta love
>> that proximity effect with dynamic mics.  However,
>> higher-pitched notes on the harp (above draw 6) had a very
>> screechy sound, with lots of intermodulation distortion (for
>> those not acquainted with same, it's something that
>> sounds like a second and very dissonant note is being
>> generated by the amp).  The 545, like other Shure vocal
>> mics, has a "bump" in its frequency response at
>> around 10 kHz, and you could sure hear it with this amp. 
>> 
>> The Audix had almost as much punch on the bottom end as the
>> 545, with a MUCH smoother upper register sound--very little
>> intermodulation distortion, and none of the screechiness
>> that the Shure produced.  It was also the least feedback
>> prone of all three mics.  
>> 
>> My guess is that players who stick to the low end of the
>> harp--draw 6 and below--would find the 545 to be a very
>> workable mic.  I suppose you could tame the high register
>> distortion by running it through an EQ before it hits the
>> amp.  But if you play the whole range of the harp, the
>> Fireball out of the box is tough to beat.
>> 
>> Regards, Richard Hunter
>> latest mp3s and harmonica blog at
>> http://myspace.com/richardhunterharp
>>    
>> _______________________________________________
>> Harp-L is sponsored by SPAH, http://www.spah.org
>> Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx
>> http://harp-l.org/mailman/listinfo/harp-l
>
>
>